About
The International Summit & Exhibition on Health Facility Planning, Design & Construction™ (PDC Summit™) is one of the nation’s premier events for the health care design and construction field, complete with an exhibition that gathers the field’s leading solutions providers.
PDC Summit is the only event presented by this unique coalition of Supporting Organizations dedicated to optimizing the health care physical environment.
Health care planning, design and construction involves many partners, each with specialized expertise. Effective collaboration between these professional types is vital to any project in the highly regulated health care field. PDC Summit provides a unique opportunity for attendees to "reach across the aisle", connect, and learn from experts in other areas as well as their own.
This helps to improve efficiency and effectiveness of future health care projects, saving resources for all parties, and improving outcomes for patients and clinical staff.
Why should I attend PDC Summit?
PDC Summit is the only conference that brings together health care designers, architects, facilities managers, constructors, owners and clinical staff — the full team behind the built environment. This unmatched mix of disciplines creates a rare opportunity to build shared understanding, strengthen relationships and align on goals that drive better project outcomes.
You'll gain practical insights from expert-led sessions, explore strategies to improve safety, efficiency and impact, and connect with collaborators who influence every stage of planning, design and construction. If you're ready to move your work forward through meaningful collaboration, PDC Summit is where it happens.
Who should attend PDC Summit?
PDC Summit is for professionals who shape the physical environment of health care. Whether you're a designer, architect, facilities manager, hospital administrator, constructor or care provider, this conference offers the insights and connections you need to move your work forward.
What is the best conference for health care designers?
Unlike events that focus solely on design, the PDC Summit is a truly interdisciplinary health care infrastructure event. It’s where professionals involved in health facility planning, construction, and operations come together to share insights, solve problems, and shape the future of health care environments. If you're a health care designer or architect, you know that successful health care projects depend on collaboration across disciplines.
By attending, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of your collaborators’ perspectives, leading to more efficient, effective and innovative projects. The sessions at PDC Summit offer valuable insights into the priorities and challenges faced by facilities managers, clinicians and constructors, helping you approach design with greater clarity and purpose. You’ll also build relationships with potential partners and clients, making the PDC Summit a smart investment in both project execution and business development.
Whether you're looking to sharpen your competitive edge, expand your network, or stay ahead of trends in the field, the PDC Summit is where meaningful connections and transformative ideas come together. Join us to explore what’s next in health care architecture and design, and be part of the conversations that move our field forward.
It’s not just a design conference — it’s where collaboration drives innovation, and where the future of health care environments is shaped by every voice at the table.
What topics can I explore at PDC Summit?
Attendees explore timely topics like pediatric environments, infection prevention, workplace violence, emergency planning, and innovations in robotics, prefabrication and cancer center design. Sessions also dive into the details of FGI codes, NFPA standards, OR environments, leadership development and patient safety, among others. Whether you're looking to deepen your technical expertise or broaden your understanding of stakeholder priorities, PDC Summit offers a rich mix of content to support your goals.
The conference sessions are organized around seven official topic tracks, with four knowledge levels:
Learning Tracks
The 2026 Summit features refreshed and reimagined tracks designed to reflect the evolving needs of our field. Customize your PDC Summit experience by choosing sessions that address seven overarching subject matter areas. Create the right balance for your unique role and interests.
Financial Implications of PDC
Clinical Perspectives in Design
Effective Collaboration
Safe, Secure Environments
Compliance & Policy
Impactful Interior Environments
Research, Design & Outcomes
Curated by The Center for Health Design
Knowledge Levels
Each session at PDC Summit aligns with one of the learning tracks and knowledge levels. Find the session that meets your needs!
STRATEGIC
For learners seeking discussions, inspiration, or trends that will impact strategic approaches to given needs or challenges.
APPLIED
For learners seeking workplace solutions that can be implemented upon their return to work.
EXPLORATORY
For learners seeking new ideas, updates, or approaches in specific topics.
FOUNDATIONAL
For learners who are new to the topic and seeking to learn or review the basics.
What is the schedule?
Get a glimpse of what's ahead PDC Summit 2026! This is a schedule at a glance, explore the full agenda of keynote highlights, networking opportunities and a diverse range of session topics from PDC Summit Supporting Organizations and leaders in the field.
| SUNDAY, MARCH 8 | |
|---|---|
| Pre-Conference Sessions | 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
| Transforming Outcomes: Integrating Lean and EBD to Maximize Results | 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. |
| AIA/AAH Deep Dive | 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. |
| ACHA Certification Prep Exam | 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. |
| AIA/AAH Facilities Tours | 11:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. |
| Embracing Interdependence – Unraveling the Complicated Application of Health Care Facility Regulations | 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
| AIA/AAH & ASHE PDC Student Design Challenge™: Jury/Judging | 3:15 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. |
| Newcomers Orientation | 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
| AIA/Academy for Architecture for Health Update | 5:00 p.m. – 5:45 p.m. |
| Welcome Reception | 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. |
| MONDAY, MARCH 9 | |
|---|---|
| AIA/AAH Forums & Breakfast Sessions | 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. |
| Welcome, Award & Keynote: Take the Stairs: 7 Steps to Achieving True Success | 8:15 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. |
| Exhibit Hall | 9:45 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. |
| Breakout Sessions | 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. |
| Breakout Sessions | 2:15 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. |
| Breakout Sessions | 3:#0 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. |
| Exhibit Hall Reception | 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. |
| TUESDAY, MARCH 10 | |
|---|---|
| AIA/AAH Forums & Breakfast Sessions | 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. |
| Keynote: The Center for Health Design Changemaker | 8:15 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. |
| Exhibit Hall | 9:45 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. |
| Breakout Sessions | 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. |
| General Session | 2:15 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. |
| Breakout Sessions | 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Early Career and Young Professionals Reception | 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. |
| WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11 | |
|---|---|
| General Session | 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. |
| Breakout Sessions | 8:15 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. |
| Breakout Sessions | 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. |
| Closing Session | 10:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. |
Who are the PDC Summit Supporting Organizations and what role do they play?
The PDC Summit is presented by a unique coalition of Supporting Organizations dedicated to optimizing the health care physical environment. These organizations represent a wide range of expertise across planning, design, construction, operations and clinical care, and they collaborate to shape the content and direction of the summit.
Take advantage of the unique opportunity to connect with these organizations and learn from their expertise at PDC Summit.
